The Third Wright Brother

HIS name is Matthew Wright but after the weekend he endured, the Cronulla utility back may as well be Wilbur or Orville.

When winger Beau Ryan suffered a knee injury on the eve of Sunday night’s encounter with North Queensland at 1300smiles Stadium – and a calf injury discounted Michael Gorden as well – the Sharkies were desperate.

After casting around for options, it was decided Wright would be the man. The only problem was that he was in Auckland for a NSW cap clash.

“He didn’t have the best of nights (against the Cowboys) but he had a fair bit of travel,” said coach Shane Flanagan.

“He landed in New Zealand for the NSW Cup game and jumped straight back on the plane the next day and came over (on Sunday) then up to Townsville.

“It’s just one of those things. Beau came in for Michael Gordon, we lost two fullbacks in two days. It was a tough call.”

The loss leaves the Sharks hanging onto a top eight spot by a thread. “If we play like that, we don’t deserve to be there,” said Flanagan.

When winger Beau Ryan suffered a knee injury on the eve of Sunday night’s encounter with North Queensland at 1300smiles Stadium – and a calf injury discounted Michael Gorden as well – the Sharkies were desperate.

After casting around for options, it was decided Wright would be the man. The only problem was that he was in Auckland for a NSW cap clash.

“He didn’t have the best of nights (against the Cowboys) but he had a fair bit of travel,” said coach Shane Flanagan.

“He landed in New Zealand for the NSW Cup game and jumped straight back on the plane the next day and came over (on Sunday) then up to Townsville.

“It’s just one of those things. Beau came in for Michael Gordon, we lost two fullbacks in two days. It was a tough call.”

The loss leaves the Sharks hanging onto a top eight spot by a thread. “If we play like that, we don’t deserve to be there,” said Flanagan.